Routine home maintenance can help minimize the repair costs you have to make on your Temecula rental property because it’s preventative and proactive. Scheduling routine inspections and service is a great way to protect the condition of your investment home. It also ensures your property is safe and habitable for current and future tenants.
Management One Professionals provides single-family and condo landlords, rental property owners and real estate investors expert property management services throughout the Temecula Valley, including Temecula, Murrieta, Winchester, Wildomar, Menifee, and Lake Elsinore, and other surrounding cities.
It’s important to budget for both routine maintenance and emergency repairs. Set aside a few dollars from every rental payment you receive each month. You’ll find you’re able to build a reserve that will protect your finances and your property when something unexpected does happen.
Some of the most common and routine home maintenance issues can prevent expensive property repairs. Pay special attention to water and plumbing issues, appliances, landscaping, and your heating and cooling system.
Routine Maintenance: Look for Water Intrusion
Water and moisture will cause more damage to your property than anything else, and it is important that you’re always looking for potential leaks and moisture.
Routinely check for leaks under sinks, and check ceilings and walls for discoloration or damp surfaces. If you leave a leak to get worse, that moisture will lead to rot and mold. Those can create health issues for your tenants and increase what you have to spend to fix the problem.
Check your home ventilation. This should be part of every inspection. If a tenant reports a problem with the plumbing, respond immediately. You don’t want to leave water problems unresolved. Remember to clean out the gutters when necessary and check your irrigation system.
When we do get rain in the Temecula Valley, it’s usually pretty intense. Make sure you’re prepared to inspect and respond to any weather-related water issues.
Inspect Your Property’s Roof
Routine roof inspections are also an important part of maintenance and can help you save on unnecessary repair costs.
If your property is surrounded by trees, there’s a danger that the branches will get too close to power lines. This could cause fires, so keep the trees trimmed. You also don’t want branches, leaves, and debris to gather on your roof or in your gutters. Hire a professional to trim back branches on a regular basis so they don’t interfere with the wires or with your property’s roof.
Make sure the landscaping isn’t creating a safety hazard. Overgrown bushes in front of the house can block windows, leaving tenants vulnerable. Make sure there is plenty of exterior lighting and keep the outdoor spaces free of weeds, branches, and debris. Invest in pest control services as part of your routine maintenance plan to avoid infestations.
Service Your Heating and Cooling Units
The Temecula Valley can get pretty hot, and the air conditioning at your rental property will likely be used well into November. This makes it important that you schedule annual visits from an HVAC technician to check your cooling system. Prevent expensive emergency repairs by having the entire system inspected, cleaned, and maintained regularly.
Make sure your tenants know to change the air filters regularly. Not only does this protect your property; it also keeps their energy costs lower and provides better air quality for their home.
Paying attention to routine maintenance saves money and increases the value of your investment. If you have any questions about maintenance or anything pertaining to Temecula property management, please be sure to contact us at Management One Professionals.
